as Kootenay doubled up the Tigers to open its second-round series

MIAMI -- LeBron James has this summer on his mind, and is already starting to plan for next season. The summer of 2014, that can wait. James said Tuesday that he is not thinking about the possibility of becoming a free agent in 12 months, though he did acknowledge that the prospects of competing with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley for several more championships with the Miami Heat is more than a tiny bit intriguing. "Thats the goal," James said. "Thats the ultimate finish. And we all hope that can happen, obviously." James final interview session of this season revealed plenty in 17 minutes, including that hes already feeling an itch to get back on the basketball court after just a few days off, that hell stop at nothing to give longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson anything she wants on their wedding day in a couple months, and that hes making no secret of his hope that the Heat bring back at least the majority of this years championship roster. The most interesting news, however, was when he spoke of his short- and long-term plans. First, hes vowing to come back better next season, which is no small promise from someone with four MVP awards, two Finals MVP awards and who carries the tag of "best player in the world." And then next summer, it certainly sounds as if hes going to give the prospects of staying in Miami a good, long look. "This is what we came here for, so that would be the ultimate," James said. "But you can never ... I dont know, life changes, things happen, and we have to be prepared for that. But this is what we all want to be here for, thats to be able to compete for a championship each and every year. And if we can do that, then itd be awesome." James scored 37 points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, carrying the Heat to their second straight championship in a season where he picked up his fourth MVP award. Hes gotten to the championship series in all three of his seasons with Miami, falling to Dallas in 2011, then beating Oklahoma City last season and the Spurs this year. The team gathered for physicals and a quick meeting on Tuesday, and now begins the process of scattering for vacation and other business. James will make his annual trip with Nike to China next month, not long after Wade does some business there. And already, James sounds like hes missing the group that he spent the past nine months with. "Its like, Damn, I wish we could come back in the locker room, have another practice, take another flight, have another bus ride with those 15 guys," James said. "Thats what its all about. You miss the guys throughout the summer. I know my family probably doesnt want to hear that, but its the truth." It was not a Finals without speed bumps for James, who failed to score 20 points in any of the first three games against the Spurs. And after Miami lost Game 5 in San Antonio, James had to prepare without one of his most faithful sounding boards. Maverick Carter, James longtime friend and perhaps his most trusted confidant, wouldnt talk with him for days after Game 5, other than challenging him by saying that great players have to be great in the biggest moments. James responded with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 6, then the 37-point outburst in Game 7. "Thats why I like the guys around me, off the court," James said. "Its not just a bed of roses with us. Theyve been around me too long to allow me to be careless or not stepping up to the plate at the highest level, not in basketball but in everything." The Heat are expected to announce by Sunday that they will pick up an option on point guard Mario Chalmers, one of three potentially departing players -- Ray Allen and Chris Andersen being the others -- identified by James on Tuesday as being "huge parts of our team." James, who was completely exhausted after Game 7, said hes already feeling rejuvenated physically and is eager to get back to work, which may not be great news for opponents. "Im going to come back a better player," James said, "because I owe it to my teammates. ... Im obsessed with success." James said he hasnt taken much of a look at who might be available for Miami this summer in free agency yet, in part because the season just ended and in part because he thinks the current Heat roster, if brought back essentially intact, would be good enough to contend for the title in 2014. If Riley, Spoelstra, managing general partner Micky Arison and salary-cap guru Andy Elisburg find a way to improve the roster, then James -- who plays just about every position on offence and defends them all on defence -- certainly wouldnt complain. Still, it says something that hes not demanding upgrades, either. "My mindset is at a point where there is no relief," James said. "I love the burden. I love what I have to do for this team to win. If it happens and we get someone who relieves something from me as far as a big or a wing guy or something, then itd be good for our team. But Im not going up to those guys or approaching this summer saying I need help. Im coming back saying if we come back with this roster, were going to compete for a championship." The way he sees it, if he gets better and the Heat get healthier and other players find ways to improve, then he likes his chances next year. "This year coming, which will be here soon, thats our focus," James said. "Our focus is on how were going to get better this year coming up, and how were going to prepare to be better with all these other teams getting better, to be able to keep that trophy here." So he gets one ring when next season starts, and another a couple months beforehand, when he and Brinson finally tie the knot. Hes let his fiancee do most of the planning, though James has been involved in some decisions. His approach has been steadfast since proposing shortly after the clock struck midnight and the calendar flipped to Jan. 1, 2012 -- its her day. "Im involved enough to where everythings going to go right," James said. "The most important person is Savannah. Shes happy, then Im happy. Thats all that matters. I dont really care about nothing else. I dont really care about nobody else there on that day besides her." Then comes a new season -- and the same questions he heard going into his infamous Decision summer of 2010, when he left Cleveland for Miami. "Ive been in this position before," James said. "Ive heard it before. It cant get any worse than my season before I became a free agent in 2010." Adidas Superstar Baratas España . Quarterback Drew Willy appeared to injure his throwing hand on the third last play of practice Thursday. Adidas Superstar Baratas Online . Future Hall of Famer Ricky Ray is in his prime and back for a third season in double blue. The 34-year old was magnificent in 2013, throwing for just under 2,900 yards despite missing eight games, tossing an impressive 21 touchdowns against just two interceptions, completing 66 per cent of his passes in the process. http://www.baratasadidassuperstar.es/ . - Novak Djokovic beat John Isner 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-1 on Saturday to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open, where hell resume his longtime rivalry with Roger Federer. Adidas Superstar España Baratas . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right. Adidas Superstar Baratas Rebajas . -- The Oakland Raiders expect to have starting right tackle Tony Pashos back for Sundays game against the Houston Texans.KELOWNA, B.C. - Nick Merkley and Damon Severson each had a goal and two assists as the Kelowna Rockets downed the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League playoff action. Riley Stadel, Tyrell Goulbourne, Rourke Chartier and Cole Linaker also scored for the Rockets, who lead the second-round series 2-0, while Jordon Cooke made 36 saves for the win. Scott Eansor, Alexander Delnov and Roberts Lipsbergs supplied the scoring for the Thunderbirds. Seattles Taran Kozun allowed five goals on 29 shots against. --- OIL KINGS 3 WHEAT KINGS 0 EDMONTON — Tristan Jarry won the goaltender battle, stopping 29 shots as the Oil Kings blanked Brandon to go up 2-0 in their second-round matchup. Jordan Papirny stopped 54-of-57 shots, including 21 in the third period, for the Wheat Kings. Edgars Kulda had two goals and an assist to lead the Edmonton offence. Ashton Sautner also scored for the Oil Kings while Brett Pollock tacked on two assists. --- ICE 4 TIGERS 2 MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Rinat Valiev broke a 2-2 deadlock at 13::08 of the third and Jagger Dirk added insurance into an empty net as Kootenay doubled up the Tigers to open its second-round series with a victory.dddddddddddd Jon Martin and Austin Vetterl also scored for the Ice and Mackenzie Skapski made 28 saves for the win. Marek Langhamer gave Medicine Hat a chance by stopping 38-of-41 shots while Cole Sanford and Trevor Cox each had a goal and an assist. Jordan Steenbergen of the Tigers and Kootenays Blake Penner were assessed fighting majors and game misconducts at 19:49 of the third. --- WINTERHAWKS 6 ROYALS 3 PORTLAND, Ore. — Oliver Bjorkstrand and Derrick Pouliot each had two goals and an assist as the Winterhawks toppled Victoria for a 2-0 second-round series lead. Nicolas Petan and Anton Cederholm also scored for Portland and Brendan Leipsic chipped in with three assists. Steven Hodges scored twice for the Royals and assisted on Austin Carrolls goal as well. Brendan Burke made 22 saves for the Winterawks while Victorias Patrik Polivka turned aside 38-of-44 shots in defeat. --- ' ' '